Help me find my Dad a wide-brimmed hat to hike in!

October 13, 2009 11:23 AM

Where in Boston can I buy my father a wide-brimmed hat to hike in?

The old man's birthday is this coming weekend and I would love to buy him a hat he can hike in and wear in town afterward.

I've looked at Stetson a bit, but think I would like something a bit less cowboy. If possible, I would also like to limit myself to things that don't scream 'hiking gear' such as neon colors or funky construction/materials. I'm hoping to buy in Boston this week, so I would only go online if it's a far superior choice.

Thanks for the recommendations!

posted by There's No I In Meme to sports, hobbies, & recreation (12 comments total)

I got an awesome Panama hat I took to Puerto Rico from Nordstrom Rack, and it was only $26. Give em a call, Google says there's in Danvers MA, maybe they have a few more. I also just saw that Target had lots of men's hats, though I'm not sure if any were wide-brimmed.
posted by exhilaration at 11:42 AM on October 13

Tilley Hats have 4 Boston stockists on their US website. Not cheap, but durable and guaranteed.
posted by Idcoytco at 11:48 AM on October 13

Maybe Chinook just outside of Davis Square?

Patagonia on Newbury St (Hynes Convention Center end) might have something, too.

And Toppers on Tremont St (between Park and Boylston, but closer to Park) is probably worth a stop. I mean, Toppers is full of hats. Tons of hats. It might take a bit to wade through, but I bet you'd find something there.
posted by zizzle at 11:49 AM on October 13 [1 favorite]

Yeah, you're definitely looking for the Tilley hats. As Idcoytco said, they're very durable, and they look plain enough to wear around town. Very dad-approved. Plus they are well vented, float, are properly fitted AND have a secret pocket!
posted by Madamina at 12:02 PM on October 13

I'd check Eastern Mountain Sports or REI first. There's also some hiking/kayaking/outdoor sport store on Comm Ave in Allston across from City Sports, something like Bob's Mountain Something-or-other. No idea if it's still there.
posted by roscopcoletrane at 12:19 PM on October 13

i love my tilley hat. i know rei sells them, although i assume it's available elsewhere as well.
posted by rmd1023 at 1:23 PM on October 13

nthing Tilley....
posted by HuronBob at 5:20 PM on October 13

Hilton's tent city is another option if you're actually in Boston proper and not a suburb. It's right near North Station, and is an indy version of EMS/REI that is fun to stroll around.
posted by mrgoldenbrown at 6:21 PM on October 13

oh, i love hilton's tent city (or i did the last time i shopped there which was a few years ago). i wasn't sure they had tilley hats, tho.
posted by rmd1023 at 8:01 PM on October 13

REI.
EMS.
posted by IAmBroom at 3:39 PM on October 15

roscopcoletrane, that's the Wilderness House -- or it was in 1992 when, riding past it on the T at night, slightly drunk, my old roommate Kid Carson noticed that the burned out letters left the sign reading "Wilderness Ho." His shouting went largely unnoticed, but our laughter did not. Thanks for the memory!

As for a hat, there's not much retail hattery in the Boston these fays. You could try going to the fedora lounge web site and asking there if anyone knows of a place, but I bet they'll point you to Aaron's Hats in North Conway (www.getahaton.com) or some store in New York City.

Tilleys too often make the wearer look like a WASPy retiree: dangerous if you are not one. An Akubra would be a nice choice -- I love mine, and wear it outdoors and into work -- but I don't know where you can buy one in the area. :7(
posted by wenestvedt at 11:22 AM on October 16

Thanks everyone! The Tilley I bought at EMS was incredibly well received. My father couldn't stop reading the instruction manual and brag cards and laughing to himself. Big improvement over his previous hat and exactly what he'd been hoping for.

And wenestvedt, good advice, but unfortunately Dad's the epitome of the WASP retiree ;)
posted by There's No I In Meme at 9:39 AM on October 18